Spotlight

What if emotional release wasn’t something to suppress, but something to design for? In this episode, we explore the story behind House of Tantrums, a unique business built to give people a safe, judgment-free space to express big emotions. From smashing objects to creative expression, this conversation dives into why emotional release matters, how generational patterns shape the way we handle fee...

What if the way you breathe is shaping your life? In this episode, Terri Peterson introduces soul breathing, a conscious breath work practice designed to support emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. She shares her personal journey from a 42-year career in pharmacy to becoming a breath work facilitator, and explains how proper breathing can help release stored trauma, increase vibrational ener...

What makes a cookie truly unforgettable—freshness, flavor, or that perfect soft bite? In today’s episode, Crystal spills the secret behind what makes SassyFras cookies stand out from the store-bought competition. From why freshness matters more than you think to how texture can make (or break) the cookie experience, this conversation dives into what separates a good cookie from a can’t-stop-thinki...

Why do so many small businesses think they have a hiring problem… when they actually have an HR problem? In this episode, Nicki from People Solutions Hub breaks down what’s really behind turnover, low morale, and hiring struggles—and why culture and compliance are non-negotiable if you want to grow. We talk proactive HR (before things break), why leaders shape retention more than perks ever will,...

Sometimes it takes almost losing your life to realize how you actually want to live it. In this episode, Abe Kao, owner of Clearbright Washing, shares the moments that reshaped his perspective on business, faith, and purpose. Abe opens up about walking away from a 20-year corporate career, a near-drowning experience in Bali that gave him a second chance at life, and the advice from his father that...

Some businesses clean houses. Others quietly change lives. In this episode, Cassie Edwardson shares how she built One Healthy Clean with a mission far bigger than spotless homes—creating healthier spaces, lighter hearts, and real impact. Cassie opens up about why toxin-free living matters, how cleaning can relieve stress and restore peace, and why joy—not hustle—is her true metric of success. We a...

Most people don’t struggle with confidence—they struggle with claiming their voice. In this episode, Jenn Espinosa-Goswami, founder of Weightless, shares how personal transformation turned into a mission to help others be seen, heard, and paid for their message. Jenn opens up about losing 100 pounds, stepping onto stages before she felt “ready,” and why imposter syndrome keeps powerful voices quie...

Your mind isn’t working against you—it’s just been trained on the wrong thing. In this episode, Joshua Ray Peters breaks down why so many driven, self-aware people still feel stuck—and how aligning the conscious and unconscious mind creates real change. We explore the neuroscience behind habit loops and anxiety, why fear is often the brain trying to keep you safe, and how hypnotherapy helps de-hyp...

Being online isn’t the same as being findable . In this episode, Laura Olson of Tried and True Digital Marketing breaks down why so many small businesses are “doing marketing”—but still invisible. Laura shares how small to mid-sized businesses can actually get found online, what most websites are missing, and why SEO, Google profiles, and social media only work when they’re part of a strategy —not...

Most people quit guitar because they’re taught what to play—not how music actually works. In this episode, Phil Olson shares how a childhood obsession with guitar turned into a teaching career that’s helped students around the world actually understand the instrument. Phil walks us through leaving corporate life, building a full-time teaching practice, and creating a method that connects chords an...

The best time to buy isn’t “when the market is perfect”—it’s when you’re prepared. In this episode, Phong Gao shares how he went from engineering to real estate—and why clarity, relationships, and action matter more than timing. Phong breaks down common real estate myths (like how agents actually get paid), why buyers need to be ready before they shop, and what today’s market demands from both buy...

What if the problem isn’t your business… but the way you see your numbers? In this episode, we sit down with Nick Gawreluk, founder of Print Profit, to uncover why so many print shops work nonstop—yet still struggle to stay profitable. Nick shares how a high school printing class turned into a global insight after traveling to 40+ countries and seeing the same problem everywhere : talented print o...

We don’t have a technology problem—we have a humanity problem. In this episode, we sit down with Alysia Nelson to explore the intersection of marketing, art, technology, and what it actually means to create with integrity. Alysia shares why collaboration outperforms competition, how art brings authenticity back into business, and why AI should be used to enhance human creativity—not replace it. We...

AI isn’t coming for your job—it’s coming for how you work. In this episode, we sit down with Andy McCarthy from Innova Solutions to talk about why adaptation—not fear—is the real competitive advantage. Andy shares how networking at Startup Week fuels innovation, why early AI adopters will pull ahead, and how automation can unlock massive efficiency across industries. We dive into agentic AI, smart...

Most founders are chasing exits. The real ones are designing growth. In this episode, Johnny Helmberger, founder and CEO of Madison Helm Inc., breaks down a radically different way to scale—one rooted in architecture, pre-sales, and spiritual alignment . Johnny shares how thinking beyond VC timelines, using pre-sales to fund momentum, and planning for acquisitions early can change a startup’s enti...

Hiring isn’t broken — it’s just overwhelmed. In this episode, Nate shares how his startup Omber is cutting through the noise of modern hiring with video-first screening and AI-assisted insights. We talk about why recruiters are drowning in applications, how AI should support —not replace—human judgment, and why communication skills matter more than résumés for many roles. Nate also opens up about...

AI doesn’t replace founders—it exposes them. In this episode, we unpack what really matters at the intersection of podcasting, entrepreneurship, and AI—straight from the energy of Twin Cities Startup Week. A seasoned serial founder, Tyler Olson, shares why AI needs human direction to be powerful, why entrepreneurs consistently underestimate how big they can think, and how creativity—not automation...

Most opportunities don’t come from plans—they come from people. In this episode, Shahbaz shares his journey through the startup world, his love for HubSpot, and why curiosity is one of the most underrated business skills there is. We talk about what five-plus years in the startup ecosystem has taught him, why Startup Week opened his eyes to the power of community, and how simply following up can u...

Email is loud. Text gets answered. And that changes everything. In this episode, Erik Hinds pulls back the curtain on how AI-powered SMS is quietly outperforming traditional marketing—and why most businesses are leaving serious money on the table. As founder of The HotBot, Erik shares how human-sounding AI can revive old leads, automate follow-ups without feeling robotic, and create real conversat...

Healthcare isn’t broken because people don’t care—it’s broken because the data doesn’t talk. In this episode, Emerson Villalta shares how his journey from studying food science at Cornell led him to build a health data solution for caregivers navigating rare diseases. We talk about the chaos families face inside a fragmented healthcare system, why interoperability is the real unlock for better out...

The wealth gap isn’t about lack of ambition—it’s about lack of access. In this episode, Elvis Rivera shares how he’s using entrepreneurship and financial literacy to empower underserved communities and close the racial wealth gap. Elvis opens up about the challenges first-time and immigrant entrepreneurs face, why so many people have the desire to start businesses but not the knowledge to navigate...

Virality doesn’t equal value—alignment does. In this episode, Joe Ruiz Jr., owner of Social Eye Marketing, breaks down what most brands get wrong about social media growth. Joe shares his journey from the film industry into marketing, why understanding who your content is for matters more than going viral, and how storytelling drives real business results. We dive into platform evolution, targetin...

Community isn’t built through networking—it’s built through trust. In this episode, Jamie Rissi of Wellworth shares how a once-vacant Woolworth building became one of downtown St. Paul’s most intentional, people-first workspaces. Jamie breaks down why Wellworth focuses on health, sustainability, and real connection over surface-level business talk. We talk about designing spaces that actually supp...

Your job title can disappear overnight—who you are can’t. In this episode, Travis opens up about walking away from corporate life and into strategic advisory work—and the identity shift that comes with it. We talk midlife reinvention, the quiet fear (and freedom) of starting over, and why startup communities feel so different from traditional careers. Travis shares how risk-taking led to self-disc...

Cities don’t come back by accident—they come back by design. In this episode, Melissa Ferlaak, Director of Communications for the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, shares what it really takes to bring a downtown back to life. We talk about the Alliance’s rapid growth, the role of safety and community trust, and why revitalization is about more than foot traffic—it’s about creating places where families,...